Match Review
Manchester United 2 v 0 Sheffield United, Old Trafford, Manchester, 20.00pm, Tuesday 17th April 2007.
Goals: Manchester United: Carrick (4), Rooney (50)      Sheffield United: n/a.
Attendance: 75,540

A goal apiece from Michael Carrick & Wayne Rooney stretched the gap at the top of the premiership table to 6 points as United down to the bare bones in defence beat Sheffield United.  United without EVDS, Rio Ferdinand & JOS saw SAF fielding Darren Fletcher in the right back slot where the Scot coped very well for his limited experience, Dutch Keeper EVDS was rested & Kuszczak was given a start, however another injury saw everyone favourite Bentley owner Kieran Richardson slotted to the left back role after Evra was tackled from behind & replaced in the early going.

Before most people settled down United found themselves in front as the two best performers on the pitch on the night would combine to make the breakthrough, Ronaldo running at pace in the midfield slipped a luscious ball to Carrick who finished with class past the on rushing Paddy  Kenny.

United almost had a second only two minutes later as Rooney's shot was saved by excellent & brave keeping from Kenny.

Then the Reds lost another defender to injury after an ugly tackle from behind felled Evra & much to the disagreement of Old Trafford Colin Kazim-Richards (should have been Kamikaze) was not even booked for his rash challenge.

As the half drew to a close, Rooney was involved in some fireworks and found himself in the referee's note book as his name was taken for a wild tackle, Rooney then showed his total class as he would go on to break his personal best in a United shirt scoring his 20th goal of the season.

Giggs expertly then picked out a Rooney run to the left of the Sheffield United penalty box and Rooney hammered his effort beyond Kenny giving the Blades keeper no chance & cementing United's three points.

By no means and easy game Luton Shelton the Jamaican born forward was causing the Reds some problems after shooting wide from close range, showing his raw talent the player may be a bright spark for Sheffield United as the season drags on.

However as per usual in the Premiership, when you at the bottom lady luck seems to leave you as the Blades were denied a cast iron penalty, Shelton showed United's back line a clean pair of heels when Gabriel Heinze chasing clearly fouled the Jamaican speedster only for ref Styles to cock up again as he seemed to throughout the match.

In the later stages Tonge struck the bar with a curling effort but United held on with the end of the line Premiership line just about around the corner.


United Starting Line-up
Player Ratings in parenthesis
Kuszczak (7); Fletcher (6), Brown  (6), Heinze (6), Evra (6); Ronaldo (8), Carrick (9), Scholes (6), Giggs (7); Rooney (7), Smith (7).
Subs Used:  Richardson (6) for Evra (21 mins), Solskjaer (6) for Giggs (80 mins).
Subs not used: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Cathcart.

United's Man of the Match
He can pass, tackle, head, Michael Carrick is a Red, Gerrard, Lampard, Fabregas there not fit to wipe his ass!!!!

Keano16's Reaction
Only 5 games left and there is a certain feel of pressure, with Park, Saha, Rio, JOS all on the mend United couldn't have asked for more at this difficult time.

Moan of the Match
Evra, another bloody injury at the back, and what was that tackle all about from Colin Kazim-Richards which went unpunished, the referee was poor last night, especially the certain penalty to Sheffield United.

Was Our Prediction Right?
We said 3-0, United Rant 7 v 46 Wrong Predictions.

Milestones
Michael Carrick's 3rd Premiership goal of his United career & 6th goal overall.
Wayne Rooney's 40th Premiership goal of his United career & 56th goal overall.

Ryan Giggs's 500th League Appearance.
Darren Fletcher's 140th competitive game for United.


Miscellaneous Info
United’s next match is on Saturday 21st April 2007 (H) to Middlesbrough in the Premiership, 17.15pm K.O. G.M.T.